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Dog Crate Training

 Dog Crate Training


dog crate training schedule

Dog crate training can help in training your dog by limiting access to your home. Your new dog needs to learn the rules of his new home, such as where to go to the bathroom, off-limits areas, what is a chew toy and what is a shoe, and more. Dog crate training is also useful in transporting your dog in your car. When dog crate training is used properly, a dog will consider it a safe and happy place.

Choose a plastic or metal crate, large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around when inside. When choosing a crate for a puppy, select one that will be large enough when the puppy reaches his adult size.

When dog crate training, keep in mind that the crate should always be a happy place to your dog. Dog crate training will take time, but the following tips will help.
  • Introduce the Crate to Your Dog - Do not just throw your dog inside the crate and shut the door! Put a pillow and/or blanket in the crate. Place it in the room where your family spends the most time together. Sit beside the crate and call your dog over to you for some attention. Let your dog sniff and look at the crate on his own. Praise your dog for checking out the crate. Start associating a word with the crate, such as “crate,” “kennel,” or “inside.” This way you are setting up a command word so your dog will enter the crate on command.

  • Put Food in the Crate - When your dog is comfortable with the crate, put some food or treats beside the crate. Once your dog eats outside the crate, put some food just inside the crate. Place food in the crate, pushing it back a little farther until your dog is inside the crate, eating at the back. Praise every step taken with dog crate training.

  • Close the Door - Once your dog is eating with his body inside the crate, close the crate door. Open the door immediately after your dog finishes eating at first. Praise your dog and give treats as a reward for dog crate training. Increase the amount of time the door stays closed. If he whines or seems afraid, cut back on the amount of time the door is closed for a while or leave the door open and wait a little longer before trying to shut the door again. Remember, you want the crate to be a happy place when dog crate training.

  • Leave the Room - When your dog is comfortable with being inside the crate with the door closed, start leaving the room for short periods. Start with fifteen seconds and build up from there. Once you can leave your dog for thirty minutes to an hour, you are ready to leave the house with your dog crated. Keep your departures quick with no long drawn-out goodbyes. Arrivals should kept calm. You do not want your dog to be anxious for your return by excited behavior with dog crate training.

Consider leaving food and treats in the crate during the day. It will encourage your dog to go inside the crate when you are not present.

When crating your dog at night, keep the crate nearby, especially for puppies. A puppy usually needs to go to the bathroom during the night. Once your dog is sleeping quietly during the night, move the crate to the location you want it kept.

It is cruel to keep your dog crated for an extended period. If you crate your dog while you are at work and again all night, you are asking for a frustrated and sad dog.


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